Question on dates of manufacture - remington 03 A3

[newcastle]

I just saw a Remington 03 A3 with a date of 07/45 on the barrel. does this mean it's been rebarrelled? I have been told that production cased in 1944 - can someone clarify / confirm this for me please? I know nothign baout 03 A3's or any US rifles really, but this looks great - maybe just a bit too great.

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[Rick the Librarian]

The last M1903A3s were completed in February, 1944 (M1903A4 sniper rifles were manufactured until @ June, 1944). I have never seen a July 1945 '03 or 03A3 barrel. Are you sure it wasn't 7-43 instead? I did see one or two Sedgely (circle S marking) 2-45 barrels at one time. What the maker's initials? (just above the date and ordnance "bomb")

[newcastle]

I'll check it out tomorrow lunchtime and will report back hopefully with pics.

[newcastle]

Ok so the Barrel date WAS 7 / 43 not 45. So I passed in favor of a 1917 at this time. However interestingly the seller showed me a coupel of barrels he had juist scored - still in their wax paper wrap in a pox postmarked rock island with original invoice - 2 Sedgely barrels, Stamped USMC with WW2 dates. The guy had requested (in 1959) remington barrels but the invoice stated : "In lieu of available remington barrels please accept these as replacement". cost for each $5.20...... where's my time machine when I need it?

[Rick the Librarian]

I'll bet the seller wanted a LOT more than $5.20 for them!!

[Badger]

Perhaps these Knowledge Library entries may help?

Vi Shooter's Web Pages - Extensive Information on M1903 Variants

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture (OldGuns.Net)

Regards,
Badger

[JGaynor]

And don't forget:

The Remington Society of America (Remington 03, 03A3, 03-A4 Serial Numbers)

The Remington Society list which is accessible here or from a sticky at the top of this section.

From the Remngton society page scroll down to the text in red lettering for '1903 modified and 1903a3' or one more line for 1903a4

The author includes a great deal of explanatory text as to how these lists have been created.

Regards,

Jim